If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? A seagull—graceful in flight, rapacious in appetite.

BRIGITTE BARDOT
(December 1994)

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Nothing about me, everything about others.

EDWARD M. KENNEDY
(May 2006)

On what occasion do you lie? When I tell each of my sisters that she’s the prettiest of them all.

FRAN LEBOWITZ

(November 1994)

How would you like to die? Vindicated.

JOAN DIDION

(October 2003)

On what occasions do you lie? I probably lie constantly, if the definition of lying includes white lies, social lies, lies to ease a situation or make someone feel better.…

ARETHA FRANKLIN

(November 2003)

What is your greatest regret? Not learning to read music. However, Juilliard is still on my mind! I’ve come within two blocks of the building, and my schedule would not allow for me to enroll at the time.

DAVID BOWIE

(August 1998)

What is your greatest fear? Converting kilometers to miles.

WALTER CRONKITE

(January 1997)

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? A seagull—graceful in flight, rapacious in appetite.

BRIGITTE BARDOT
(December 1994)

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Nothing about me, everything about others.

EDWARD M. KENNEDY
(May 2006)

On what occasion do you lie? When I tell each of my sisters that she’s the prettiest of them all.

RAY CHARLES

(February 2003)

What is your motto? “God helps those who help themselves.”

ARTHUR MILLER

(March 1999)

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I. Tremendous. Stupid. Idiot. Dream.

BETTE MIDLER
(August 2008)

Which living person do you most despise? The Bluetooth-wearing S.U.V. driver who idles in front of my building.

FRAN LEBOWITZ

(November 1994)

How would you like to die? Vindicated.

JOAN DIDION

(October 2003)

On what occasions do you lie? I probably lie constantly, if the definition of lying includes white lies, social lies, lies to ease a situation or make someone feel better.…

ARETHA FRANKLIN

(November 2003)

What is your greatest regret? Not learning to read music. However, Juilliard is still on my mind! I’ve come within two blocks of the building, and my schedule would not allow for me to enroll at the time.